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4 sheets-sheet 1.

(N0 Modem J. R.,.LITTLE.

METHOD OF MAKING METAL WHEELS.

Patented Jan. 12, 1,886.

4 GLML/M N, PETERS. Pholu-Lhhognphnr, Wrnmnmm. n, c.

(N0 ModeL) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J.-R. LITTLE.

METHOD OF MAKING METAL WHEELS. No. 334,253. Patented Jan. 12 1886%K/Z/%WM 2 M1 5. day/f4,

(N0 ModeL) 4 Sheath-Sheet 3.

' J. R. LITTLE.

METHOD OF MAKING METAL WHEELS. No. 334,253. Patented Jan. 12, 1886;

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. R. LITTLE.

METHOD OF MAKING METAL WHEELS.

No; 334,253. Patented Jan. 12, 1886;

N. PETERS. Pmmmlvogn mr. wzshinglon, DJC.

JAMES R. LITTLE, OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE QUINCY METAL\VHEEL COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

METHOD OF MAKING METAL WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,253,6lated January12,1886.

Application filed October 19, 1885. Serial No. 180,332.

I To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMEs B. LITTLE, of Quincy, in the county of Adams,and in the State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in theManufacture of Metal IVheels; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe hub, rim, and one of the spokes of my wheel before being united.Fig. 2is a like view of the hub and spokes as combined. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the completed wheel. Fig. 4c is a side elevation ofthe same, the hub being shown in cross-section andaportion of the rimbeing broken away to show the form of a spoke at such point. Fig. 5 isaperspective view of the wheel-spider in position for trimming itsspokes to length. Fig. 6 is a like view of the spider and rim inposition upon the mechanism employed for placing said rim upon thespokes, and Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same.

Letters of like name and kind refer to similar parts in each of thefigures.

My invention relates to the construction of metal wheels in which therim is welded and made solid before being combined with the spider; andit consists in the method employed for constructing the wheel,substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

In the carrying of my invention into effect I employ a metal hub, A,which is preferably provided with two parallel circumferentialenlargements, a, that increase the thickness at such points, and withinwhich are formed radial mortises a, that extend from the periphery ofsaid hub into its axial opening a. Said mortises are preferably arrangedso that each mortise of a row comes opposite to the space between twomortises of the opposite row, the result sought being the production ofa wheel having staggered spokes.

WVithin each mortise a is inserted one end of a metal spoke, B, which issecured in position therein by such longitudinal compression as willcause the part within said mortise to be expanded and caused to closelyfill the (No model.)

same. The longitudinal compression is also preferably caused to expandsaid spoke outside of said mortise and to form at such point anenlargement, b.

In consequence of the difficulty experienced in giving to each spoke thesamelongitudinal compression, it is usually found that after a hub, A,and its spokes B have been united the latter will have some differencesin length,

for which reason I at this point preferably journal said hub uponabearing, G, which sub- 6o stantially fills its axial opening a andrevolve the spider so as to bring the outer end of each spoke intocontactwith cutting mechanism D, that has a certain predeterminedrelation to said bearing 0, and operates to cut said spokes successivelyto the desired length. The wheelspider is now ready to be combined withthe rim E, which is a solid continuous ring of metal, and is provided atsuitable equidistant points with radial mortises e, that correspond innumber to the number of the spokes B, and have such diameter as toenable the latter to be easily inserted therein. The spider is nowplaced upon'a vertical bearing, F, which substantially fills the axialopening a of the hub A, and the rim E is placed upon said spider andabout one-half of its mortises 6 passed over the ends of the contiguousspokes B, after which, by means of a hand-lever, G, said rim is sprungoutward at its intersection with each of the remaining spokes until theend of such spoke may pass within said rim and enter its mortise. Thewheel is now completed by compressing the outer portion of each spoke Buntil it closely fills its mortise e, and, preferably, there is formedupon said spoke, immediately inside of the rim E, an enlargement,

b, that corresponds to the enlargement 22 near the inner end of saidspoke.

By this method of constructing metal wheels perfect uniformity in thediameter of the rims and in the tension of the spokes may be secured anda better and stronger article produced than would otherwise bepracticable.

Having thus fully setforth the nature and 5 merits of my invention, whatI claim is- 1. The method of constructingametalwheel which consists,first, in securing the inner ends of the spokes within amortised hub,next trimming said spokes to uniform length, next placing upon the outerends of said spokes a solid mortised rim, and, lastly, expanding 5 saidspokes within and causing them to closely fill the rim-mortises,substantially as set forth.

2. Themethod of constructingametal wheel which consists, first, inexpanding the inner ends of the spokes within and causing the same toclosely fill the mortises of a hub, next trimming said spokes to uniformlength, next placing upon the outer ends of said spokes a solid mortisedrim, and, lastly, expanding said spokes within and causing them toclosely fill I5 the mortises of said rim,suhstantially as shown anddescribed.

3. The method of constructing metal wheels which consists. first, insecuring the ends of the spokes within a mortised hub, next trimmingsaid spokes to a uniform length, next placing asolid mortised rim overthe outer ends of the contiguous spokes at one side of said hub, andthen springing said rim radially outward over the end of each oftheremaining spokes, and, lastly, expanding said spokes within andcausing the same to closely fill said rim-nlortises, substantially asset forth.

4. Themethod of constructing metal wheels which consists, first, inexpanding the inner o ends of the spokes within and causing the fillsaid rim-mortises, substantially as shown and described.

5. Themethod of constructing metal wheels which consists, first, insecuring the ends of the spokes within a mortised hub, nexttrimming saidspokes to a uniform length, next placing a solid mortised rim over theouter ends of the contiguous spokes at one side of said hub, and thenspringing said rim radially outward over the end of each of theremaining spokes, and, lastly, securing the latter within said rim bycompressing the outer portion of each spoke longitudinally until itclosely fills its mortise and is enlarged at each end of the same,substantially as shown.

6. The method of constructing metal wheels which consists, first, .inexpanding the inner ends of the spokes within and causing the same toclosely fill the mortises of ahnb, next trimming said spokes to auniform length, next placing a solid mortised rim over the outer ends ofthe contiguous spokes at one side of said hub, and then springing saidrim radially outward over the end of each of the remaining spokes, and,lastly, securing the latter within said rim by compressing the outerportion of each spoke longitudinally until it closely fills itsmortiseand is enlarged at each end of the same, substantially as setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my handthisv 26th day of 70 September, 1885.

JAMES R. LITTLE.

\Vitnesses:

WM. H. BERRY, S. A. BLASLAND.

